Crew

Crew

Doug Cwiak - Writer/Director/Producer

Doug got his start working in film as a Production Assistant on the independent film “Atrocities.” Once bitten by the filmmaking bug, he enrolled at UCLA Film School where he studied screenwriting and promptly crafted the awarding winning screenplay ”The Cassandra Complex.” Shortly after, he made his directing debut in a short film entitled “Sign It With a 45” and worked as a director of photography on several short films. After graduating from film school, Doug formed his own production company, Industrial Media Arts, and began writing, producing and directing a variety of projects including public service announcements, educational and corporate training productions, and marketing promotions. He recently received an AEGIS Award for scriptwriting. A consummate storyteller, his work is known for its personal insight and intimacy. “A great story involves characters and situations that invoke the emotions of the audience. It’s the emotions that make us want to see a movie” said Cwiak.

Paul Maggetti - Producer/Editor

Born in Haddon Heights, New Jersey, Paul Maggetti moved to California when he was seven years old. Not long after, a family trip to the Universal Studios Tour cemented his fate. With a Super 8 movie camera in hand, Paul began a creative journey that continues today. A 1986 graduate of Humboldt State University’s Theatre Arts program, Maggetti has studied at South Coast Repertory, the American Film Institute and the Sony Institute of Video Technology. Today, Paul is president of Maggetti Productions, Inc. An award-winning producer/director/writer/editor, Paul’s commitment to the creative process and visual storytelling has infused all his work with a distinct narrative style.

Blake Jackson - Director Of Photography

Academy Award Winning Cinematographer Blake Jackson brings a vast array of talent and experience to “The Beginning of December”. With his origins in production design before completing USC's graduate program in cinematography, Jackson's keen eye ensures the film will have the “look” writer/director Cwiak envisioned for the project at the outset. Jackson also brings with him a highly experienced camera team.

Michelle Metzner - Casting Director

After earning her BA in film from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Michelle Metzner found an entertainment industry niche more intriguing than directing (her original dream): casting! Michelle began her casting career as a casting assistant at MTV and was quickly tapped to cast one of MTV's highest-rated shows of all time: "Becoming". After casting this show for two years, Michelle moved on to cast Big Brother 3 for CBS. Her next major project was the breakout show for the Oxygen Network: Girls Behaving Badly. The all-female Comedic cast assembled by Michelle has gone on to make this hidden-camera show Oxygen's highest-rated original program. Michelle then pursued her passion for finding talented actors for short and feature films as well as casting all types of talented actors for Promos, Music Videos, Scripted and Reality Television, Industrials and Commercials for DIRECTV, Schick Razor, LA Fitness Gyms, MTV, Style Network, and VH1, just to name a few. Michelle Metzner is the owner and Casting Director of CURRENTLY CASTING, Inc. and is a member of CSA (Casting Society of America).

Whether casting a promo, series, or film, Michelle's energy and enthusiasm remains consistent throughout the project. Michelle's love of actors comes through in her regular appearances on panel discussions throughout Los Angeles.

1st. Assistant Camera....................Tom Holder

2nd. Assistant Camera....................Mat Doctor

2nd. Assistant Camera....................Juline Zeitouni

2nd. Assistant Camera....................Kirk Smith

Grip.............................................Toni Ignacio

Grip.............................................Derrick Esperanza

Grip.............................................Dominick Kypagoras

Grip.............................................Julian Lopez

Grip.............................................Kristina Klepper

Sound Mixer..................................Dana Kopetzky

Boom Operator..............................Barry Shay

1st. Assistant Director....................Sona Stamboltsyan

2nd. Assistant Director...................Richard Helou.

Script Supervisor...........................Cristina Acocella

Hair and Makeup............................Trina Scelsi

Production Assistant.......................Matt Roberts

Production Assistant.......................Gary Houck

Graphic Design..............................Misha Birmele

Fundraising...................................Serena Santillanes

Fundraising...................................April Grossinger

Catering.......................................Chef Claude Beltran/Madeleines Wine Bistro & Restaurant